The Applebeat was born when two writers without smartphones needed to know the score of an NBA playoff game. "Every town has an Applebee's," we thought. We tracked down an Oklahoma City Applebee's number with the assistance of an underworked 411 operator, and then, thanks to the establishment's friendly bartender, we got the score. After that first call, the sociological and comedic possibilities were immediately made apparent. Our cultural cravings kicked in. We made plans for March Madness.